Kneecap effigies and Irish language signage appear on controversial Village bonfire

Belfast Telegraph

a day ago

Figures appearing to be dressed in the style of rappers Moghlaí Bap, DJ Próvaí and Mo Chara have appeared on the pyre in the Village area.
Belfast City Council on Wednesday ordered the dismantling of the structure following fears over its proximity to a nearby electrical substation and the presence of loose asbestos at the site.
However, the bonfire is set to proceed after the PSNI deemed it too dangerous to intervene.
As well as the effigies, the bonfire contains an Irish tricolour and Palestine flag, as well as a sign penned in Irish which reads: 'Maraigh do aitiúil Kneecap'.
Though grammatically incorrect, the message roughly translates as 'Kill your local Kneecap', an apparent reference to comments made by the band about Tory MPs – for which the group later apologised.
Another sign reading 'SDLP and Alliance do not represent our community'.
It comes after a poster featuring the west Belfast rappers along with a number of sectarian slogans was attached to an Eleventh Night bonfire in Co Tyrone.
The banner, which has a photograph of the west Belfast band as its backdrop has been cable tied to the pallets used to construct the bonfire in the Dungannon area.
It features the heading 'Kill your local Kneecap', with a further line stating 'The only good one is a dead one'. In the centre of the poster is the acronym 'KAT', with 'Death to Hamas' and 'Destroy all Irish Republicans' also on the banner.
At Sandy Row, an effigy wearing a Celtic jersey and a tricolour balaclava has been placed on top of a bonfire alongside two Palestinian flags.
A posted reading 'F**k Kneecap and Palestine' has been fixed to the structure along with another notice reading 'Stop the Boats. Deport Illegals. Stop the Invasion'.
Earlier this afternoon, MP Paul Maskey described similar sectarian displays on a bonfire in west Belfast as 'sickening'.
The offensive banners have appeared on a pyre alongside Irish tricolours in the Highfield area of the city, with police confirming the banners are being treated as 'motivated by hate'.
The 'KAT' slur has this time been painted onto one of the flags in block capital letters and hung above a sign that reads 'stop the boats'.
Another sign with 'ATAT' and 'HYL' painted on it alongside a crosshair target has also been spotted at the site in addition to a sign that warns 'PSNI not welcome in loyalist Highfield'.
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'Such open and sickening displays of sectarian and racist hatred have absolutely no place in our society,' said Mr Maskey.
"Political unionism must speak out and demand the removal of these offensive materials.
'Real leadership is needed, although it has been sorely lacking in these communities for some time.
'This is clearly a hate crime, and I have reported it to the PSNI.'
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A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police have received reports regarding offensive signage placed on a bonfire in the Highfield area and in the Eastvale area of Dungannon.
'Enquiries into these matters, which are being treated as being motivated by hate, are ongoing.'
Further items, including a Palestinian flag and a notice reading 'Taigs out' have also been placed on a bonfire in the Waterside area of Londonderry, alongside a banner proclaiming solidarity between Ireland and Palestine.
Meanwhile, a drone carrying an Irish tricolour has been spotted flying over the Shankill Road as the community prepare to light their bonfire.
Footage on social media appeared to show the drone performing laps of the area.